OUTWARDLY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

outwardly

adverb

Definition of outwardly

as in externally

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of outwardly The traditional definition of culture fatigue is outwardly focused. — Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The latter deal was outwardly portrayed as a model of smart business. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Seabrook’s primary focus was on Vodou aka voodoo rituals, which had long constituted an underground religious practice amongst populations outwardly accepting of Catholicism. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026 Many people may feel hesitant to be themselves, while outwardly searching for a deeper connection. — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outwardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwardly

Adverb

Banks and credit unions looked externally to fill more than 80% of their chief risk officer roles in the quarter, nearly doubling the rate from the first quarter.

— Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Yet the demands of being F1’s most famous and successful team mean expectations, both internally and externally, will only be satisfied when the championship drought, dating back to 2008, finally ends.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of externally

Adverb

The Wolverines looked out of sorts for most of the night, and Whittingham was visibly displeased with their performance.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Casting Pattinson in the role leaves little to the imagination, as the IRL Hansen’s more equanimous, jovially unflappable, everyday demeanor is replaced here by someone who’s visibly diseased in the head from the very top.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of visibly

Adverb

Giles, their left wing-back, seemingly does not stop running.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The latter ensured fewer protests against seemingly endless deployments but also meant that a disproportionate share of the population would bear the burden.

— Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

The brothers were apparently never scheduled to appear at the conference, though journalists and fans in the room seemed to not be aware of this.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Although law firms are beginning to embrace the benefits of generative AI, the technology apparently makes many law schools squeamish.

— Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

The result is a twisted, naturalistic fairytale about structural realities; with the right boot-heel at one’s neck, even ostensibly life-giving forces like forests and rivers can be turned against innocent people.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
But challengers emerged and weakened its quest for dominance, often with different models ostensibly tailored to be more local.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ostensibly

Adverb

Those who do play with a single-hander, like Tsitsipas, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti or Austria’s Lilli Tagger inspire a kind of fascination as to why anyone would go down a path that has become so unusual and supposedly counterproductive.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
For years, America’s conversation about the Middle East revolved around terrorism, stability, and the supposedly binary choice between friendly dictators and dangerous Islamists.

— Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

Miller has long been concerned with some of the actions taken after 9/11, putatively in her name, against Muslims in general.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The eight-story glass building at the center of the complex, which had putatively been devoted to vaccine manufacturing, was in fact a highly classified defense facility.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026

Definition of putatively

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outward

outwardly

outwards

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“Outwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwardly. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of outwardly

adverb

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